I currently have a pair of Forma boots, very comfotable, easy to put on and take off, water resistant and have held up well, but, the sole is far too smooth and slippery under foot. Now, the K12 is a big girl and I'm really trying to avoid joining the "let her lay down in the driveway" club, which I am told is a very common occurence, and partly due to owners' feet slipping on the terra-firma.
Can anyone point me in the direction of touring boots, long or short, with a nice treaded sole similar to that on the old "Blunnies" ?

Since filed here..........it should be electrical heated, I`ll guess?...... .

Inge K.

Sidi's Canyon and On Road touring boots both have the waffle tread commonly known as a Vibram sole. I have and use both. I've had 'em so long I've worn the tread off and they don't leak or slip on wet surfaces. The On Roads are taller than the Canyon, both are made of leather and have Goretex inners. Both boots are extremely comfortable to walk around in all day too, though I prefer the On Road for long distances, the Canyon for when it's hot. These are my choices.


On Road


Canyon

I have the Sidi Canyon as well and 2nd 2WB's recommendation. Excellent construction, comfortable and durable.

Since filed here..........it should be electrical heated, I`ll guess?......

I see that Sidi doesn't import the Canyon into OZ, sadly. I bought mine whilst overseas tramping about. Our dollar's strong lately. Here's a link to a supplier that'll ship 'em.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/36/6535/ITEM/Sidi-Canyon-Gore-Tex-Boots.aspx

That's $302 ours, plus shipping. Worth it if a good, solid, long-life boot is in your plans. I've had mine since 2006 when the model was released. I wear them over the others 90% of my riding time. I wore the On Roads out a while back. I see that they're the same price as the Canyon and have been updated now. I'd buy them again, they are the most waterproof I've ever owned, if I needed a new pair.

Ok, stupid question number 322,697...what's with wearing the touring boots and the like?

Not being a smart a#se...just like to know, as I wear Bata steel caps that cover my ankle and are really comfortable with a chunky sole.

Didya feet get wet that last trip, Blakey? Nuh, didn't think so, because your soaked pants were distracting you.

Good boots also resist wrenching about if you are unlucky enough to take a spill.
Regards,
K-BIKE

+1, K-Bike, reason enuf.

blakey wrote:Ok, stupid question number 322,697...what's with wearing the touring boots and the like?

Not being a smart a#se...just like to know, as I wear Bata steel caps that cover my ankle and are really comfortable with a chunky sole.

And they look just great ................if n ya got a bolt through ya neck.

"Didya feet get wet that last trip, Blakey? Nuh, didn't think so, because your soaked pants were distracting you."
"Good boots also resist wrenching about if you are unlucky enough to take a spill"

Point taken...I'll buy some.

Dennis, You should try Rossi boots. The pattern on the sole is the same as my work boots and the riding/touring boots are as comfortable as the work ojnes. Ainsjac

trying to save up for some good boots here .......i also have steel caps as an interim .....makes for good body work on those clueless , blind ,suv drivers ...not that they give a diddley squat, who they run over , their insurance is always "paid up ".

Too right, Charlie. For door denting done right I use a pair of Alpinestars Scouts (it's what I wore on The Long Ride Round OZ last year). They're comfy for walking in, a bit heavy and can be hot on warmer days, and I had to modify the leg of my riding trousers to 'clear' their width. But hot damn they do a bang up job on the thin body panels of modern cars and 4WDs when they git in yer way.



At only US$279.00 they're a good deal too, (I mail ordered mine from Amorica last Winter) but intended for dual sport riding more than touring.

Dennis wrote:I currently have a pair of Forma boots, very comfotable, easy to put on and take off, water resistant and have held up well, but, the sole is far too smooth and slippery under foot. Now, the K12 is a big girl and I'm really trying to avoid joining the "let her lay down in the driveway" club, which I am told is a very common occurence, and partly due to owners' feet slipping on the terra-firma.
Can anyone point me in the direction of touring boots, long or short, with a nice treaded sole similar to that on the old "Blunnies" ?

dennis a few years ago you could get new souls vulcanised on (for want of a better word) to your old souls ....i had mine done by "anset-adset" here in brisbane back in those days ...but i believe if you look around you will find someone with the old skills to do such a job ....look for a good saddler,leather repairman, boot maker...there are quite a few different types of re-sole treads available and stitching them on is a good if not the best aproach . those guys will be able to point you in the right direction ...

cheers mate

Thanks people for all the advice, pics etc. I settled on a pair of Rossi 811 Visions yesterday, retail for $220 and (still) made in South Australia (rare these days). They are all leather, quite light and have a work boot type tread on polyurethane sole, just what I was after. A couple of coats of dubbin, left out in the sun to penetrate the leather and they'll be good.
Off to the Tassie West Coast on the K12 this weekend to see "The Wall in The Wilderness", google it, I'm told it is fantastic.
Regards, Dennis

That's a nice-looking, high quality boot, Dennis. Bonus that it's made in OZ too. I might have to keep a pair of those in mind for when I wear my current selection out.

http://www.rossiboots.com.au/catalogue/catalogue_details.asp?prodID=110

Dennis good choice with the boots. Rossi makes a female version riding boot which is comfortable as well. I can't vouch fully for it as my wife takes a female 3 and I take a male 12. Did you know that there are three types of people in the world, those who can count and those who can't ?

A size 12 you should be paying land tax at that size.
The Rossi are good I used them for years when I was Racing and I would just leave them on all day they were so comfortable.
I got some Black Rose ones a while ago and they seem to be OK were a bit stiff and I kept missing shifts till they softened a bit.

K Freak, Many years ago I was in the Netherlands and the kids, who were small at time, wanted some clogs. I then asked the clog maker for some clogs for me. He started giving me very detailed directions as how to get to the destination....bloody boat yard, where they built boats...only place he said I could get clogs my size.

my choice of boots for bike and suit wear is Baxter Gaucho boot ... I get them from Goulburn, NSW hardware store near the rail station for about $120. All leather with rubber sole ... great!

ainsjac wrote:K Freak, Many years ago I was in the Netherlands and the kids, who were small at time, wanted some clogs. I then asked the clog maker for some clogs for me. He started giving me very detailed directions as how to get to the destination....bloody boat yard, where they built boats...only place he said I could get clogs my size.

my son has what we politely call surfboards.....size 14 ...omg them genes sure do get mixed up huh ?

nice looking boot ned ..........

thanks Charlie, Aussie boots, made in China. What else could you possibly want

From my experience you have to be able to walk in them. No use
hobbling for a mile looking for telephone coverage after an overheating episode on a freeway peak hour. I could go on, but you get MY drift. And my boots were 20 years old made by Frank Thomas in Uk (or it's Slovenia branch) and I can't bear to part with them even tho a zipper has failed. That's my 2 cents worth.
Cheers Rt